Staging Batting Practices

The greatest part of a team's practice session centres on batting practice. Batting is the one component of the game that is common to all players. During a well-organized batting practice coaches can have players work on individual skills (i.e. fielding, base running).

 

• Have one or two on-deck hitters -- rest of team is on the field in their position or hitting fungoes or as shaggers.
   

• Outfielders hit together to allow infielders to work together as a unit (vice versa).
   

• Strict routine should be adhered to during the session and the team must be aware of it for safety reasons and to take advantage of valuable practice time.
   

• Pitchers are fungo hitters and stand near home-plate, far back in foul territory to protect against balls hit by the batter.
   

• Fungo hitters hit balls to the infielders only after a pitched ball has passed or been hit in another direction.
   

• Fungoed ball is the only ball that is thrown to another infielder, not the pitched ball.
   

• Fungo hitters position themselves either behind first or third base to hit fly balls to the outfielders (usually 2 outfielders will take fungo fly balls while the others play the batted balls)
   

• Pitchers take turns as "shagger" for the batting practice pitcher. Players roll all the batted balls to the shagger who in turn feeds them to the pitcher. Safest position for back-up man is behind second base on the outfield grass area.
   

• Practise base running by having a hitter become a base runner at first base for the next hitter. The runner can practise advancing on balls hit or bunted by the batter. This helps them to develop proper lead-off and base running techniques.
   

• Catchers serve as umpires by calling all the pitches -- whether batter swings or not. This familiarizes the batter with the strike zone and encourages them to be more aggressive. Catchers can work on their receiving skills during this time.
   

• The pitcher's activity during the batting practice is equally important. It gives them the opportunity to work from the mound and face batters, thereby simulating a game situation.